Fastener assembly



`une 2, 1953 P, D, BECKER 2,640,244

y FASTENER ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ea WVENTOR PumpD. BECKER,

Bv Mm AGEN-r.

June 2, 1953 P, D, BECKER l2,640,244

FASTENER ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Shee-t 2 Patented June 2,1953 UNITED STATE PATENTl OFFICE FASTENER ASSEMBLY Philip Df. Becker,Hingham, Mass., assigner to United-Carr Fastener Corporation,Cambridge', Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application .Tune 27,1951, Serial No. 233,909

10 Claims'.

This invention relates generally to fastening devices, and hasparticular reference to a rotary in place, provide a portion of thestructural strength; of,l the airframe, the panels must be provided withextremely strong and reliable fastening means fori attachment tothe mainbody ofthe airframe. This' is'particularlyI true in the case of aircraftdesigned to travel at speeds approachingthe speed of sound, since atsuch speeds considerable shear stressn may' be'` produced between thepanel and the main body of the airframe.

The object of the' invention isto providea fastoning; device forusel inattaching superimposed panels, in which a bushing for' assembly in anopening; in one panel is adapted to protrude through an opening intheother panel to resist shear forces applied to the. panels.

Ajurtherobject of the invention is to" provide a panell fastener inwhich aA stud assembly' for mounting in one panelV is provided with abolt with a friction lock nut disposed thereon for en:-

gaging a socket mounted in another panel, and

the socket member is provided with bearing plate means having anut-receiving opening therein to permit the nut' to pass therethroughand be rotated into a fastening position, and means spaced'irom the.Vbearing plate to limit the distance-the nut can pass beyond the bearingplate.

A stillI further object. of the invention is' to provide; a socketmember for receiving a stud comprising; a friction lock nut disposed ona bolt, in whichthe socket is providedwith a bearing` plate and a saddlemember spacedfrom the bearing plate to form a nut-receiving spacetherebetween, and means disposedb'etween the bearingplate andthe saddlemember to control the rotation of; the nut'in relation to the bolt.

Inthe drawing;

Fig'. lisa perspective-view, partly broken away; ofra; studassemb'ly foruse ina fastener assembly embodying-'thev features of` the invention;

Fig: 2" is -aperspective view, partly broken away,

Such sheet metal covering l 2,' of a socket assembly for use with thestud assembly= of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the socket assemblyof Fig. 2 as seen from the bottom;

Fig. 4 is a top plan: view ofthe socket member' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation, partly in section,

of the stud and socket assembly in which the nut member of the stud hasbeen inserted intothe'- socket and rotated into a locking position;

Fig". 6 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 5 with the' saddle member brokenaway;

Fig; 7 is a View in elevation of thel assembled stud and socket in whichthe nut of the stud has been tightened against the bearing; plate or thesocket todrawY the plates tightly together;

Fig. 8 is a View in section taken on line ii-- ofv Fig. 7' in whichthe-bolt has been ro'tatediny a direction to loosen the nut from theAbearing? plate;

Fig. 9is a bottomA plan View of' Fig. 84 with' the saddle member brokenaway;

Fig. l0 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of' the stud andsocket assembly in whichy the nut has been loosenedv sufficiently to'rotate with the bolt so that the bearing wings are in position topassthrough the opening in the bearing plate;

Fig. 1l is a bottom planvview of Fig; 10v with the saddle member brokenaway; andv Fig. l2 isa view'in section taken on line' IZ-IZ of Fig.1l',` iii-which thev nut has moved' through the bearing plate openingto' disengage the stud assembly from the socket assembly.

Referring tothe drawing, there is illustrateda panel-fastener Hl,comprising a stud assembly l2 and a` socket assembly lli which areadapted'4 for assembly onto panels it and i3 which are to besuperimposed, to. fasten the panels together and to resist' shearforces' applied thereto.

The studv assenribly` I2 comprises' a' bushing 2l) assembled intoanopening inthe panel l5, a bolt 22` extending through the` bushingandlongitudinally'movable therein, which hasV a head 2'4 disposed on oneside thereof and a threaded'pore tion Zprotruding from' the other side,`a nut'28 disposed on the bolt having an axially extending frictionvlock shank portion 23, and a spring` 30 assembled on the'bolt to urgethe bolt upwardly in relation to the panel.. The bushing 201 isprovidedwith a retainingv iiange 32" for bearing against theupper'sid'eof the-'panel I6, and the bushing maybe retained in assemblywith the paneliby anyconvenient means, suchA asa sheet metal retainingring 34 having tongues 36 extending radially inwardly to enter grooves38 in the wall of the bushing for inclined frctional engagementtherewith. The bushing is also provided with an inner spring supportnange 40, so that the spring is confined between said flange and thehead 24 of the bolt, whereby the bolt is normally maintained in theraised position illustrated in Fig. l, with the nut 28 bearing againstthe bottom of the bushing. The bushing 20 protrudes a considerabledistance beneath the panel I 6 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed. The nut 28 is of the friction lock type, that is, the threadsof the nut in the shank portion 29 engage the threads of the bolt insuch a manner that a substantial torque is required to rotate the nutrelative to the bolt, and consequently when the bolt is rotated, the nutwill normally rotate with the bolt unless positive means is provided toprevent such rotation. The nut is also provided with a pair of bearingwings 42 which extend radially therefrom for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

The socket assembly I4 is adapted to be assembled onto the lower side ofthe lower panel I 8 opposite an opening 44 therein, and comprisesgenerally a hollow receptacle 46 having a bearing portion 50 at the endthereof spaced from the panel I8 and laterally extending panel attachingportions 48, a sheet metal body 52 assembled about the receptacle havingintermediate nut stop tongues 54 extending radially inwardly under thereceptacle for a purpose to be hereinafter described, and a saddlemember 55 disposed under the receptacle in spaced relation to thebearing portion 50. The receptacle, the sheet metal body 52, and thesaddle are preferably preassembled by means of hollow eyelets 58, andthe assembly is then mounted onto the panel by means of rivets Bextending through the eyelets.

The receptacle is preferably formed of relatively heavy sheet metal toresist stresses to be applied thereto when the fastener is assembled.The bearing portion 50 is provided with an opening 62 for receiving thenut, and the opening has radially extending slot portions 64 to permitthe wings of the nut to pass therethrough when the bolt is in apredetermined rotational position in relation to the bearing portion.

The saddle member 56 is provided with an opening 66 which is alignedwith the opening 62, to receive the end of the bolt and the shank 29 ofthe nut when the bolt is inserted into the socket, to maintain the boltin a vertical position in relation to the socket. The saddle is spacedfrom the bearing portion of the receptacle a sufcient distance to permitthe wings of the nut to rotate therebetween; and to control suchrotation in a manner to be hereinafter described, a pair of tabs 68 areprovided which extend from the saddle toward the bearing portion of there-ceptacle, for engagement with the wings of the nut during rotationthereof. The tabs have a side 'I0 providing a nut loosening stop whichis disposed directly beneath an edge 'i2 of the slot portions 64 of thereceptacle opening '62, and a side T4 providing a nut tightening stopwhich is disposed below the bearing portion I). The tabs 68 are disposeddirectly opposite each other on opposite sides of the opening 66, sothat during rotation of the nut between the saddle and the bearingplate, the wings of the nut contact corresponding sides of the tabs 68simultaneously to stop the rotation thereof. The intermediate tongues 54each have an inclined camming surface 'I6 leading to an edge 'i8 whichis spaced below the bearing portion 5i] to provide an intermediate nutloosening stop, and the tongues are also positipned opposite one anotherso that during certain conditions of rotation of the nut, the wings ofthe nut will engage edges of the tongues simultaneously to stop therotation thereof. The inclined surfaces 'I6 initiate below edges 8U ofthe slot portions in the receptacle, on the side of the slot portionsopposite the nut loosening stop sides 'i8 of the tabs B8. The edges 'I8of the tongues 54 are spaced radially from the nut tightening stop sides74 of the tabs a suiiicient distance to allow the wings 42 of the nut toseat therebetween against the bearing portion of the receptacle. Theedges I8 of the tongues 54 are each spaced a predetermined distance fromthe bearing portion 50 of the receptacle to insure that the edgesthereof will engage the nut wings 42 during the operation of thefastener, but said edges 'I8 are spaced from the saddle a sufficientdistance to permit the nut wings to pass therebetween.

To assemble the panels by means of the illustrated fastener, the panelsare superimposed so that the bushing 2S enters the opening 44 in thelower panel and protrudes therefrom into the receptacle 48. The depth ofthe receptacle allows the panels to come together even though the nut 28has not yet passed through the opening 62 (see Fig. 12). The bolt 22 isthen rotated by means of a screwdriver or other tool, until the nutwings are aligned with the slot portions 64 of the opening, and adownward pressure on the tool 82 causes the bolt to move downwardlythrough the bushing, compressing the spring 30 and causing the nut topass through the opening 52. As the bolt moves downwardly, the shank 29of the nut passes into the opening $6 in the saddle, so that the bolt ismaintained in a vertical position in the socket assembly, and the nut 28contacts the saddle to limit the distance the nut can pass beyond thebearing portion 50 of the receptacle. Rotation of the bolt in aclockwise direction (as seen from above) will cause the nut to rotatewith the bolt so that the wings 42 pass between the tongue 54 and thesaddle and come into contact with the nut tightening stop sides 'i4 ofthe tabs 68 (see Figs. 5 and 6). It is apparent that before suchassembly can be accomplished, the nut 28 must initially be far enoughdown on the bolt to allow the Wings thereof to pass the tongues 54during rotation of the nut. However, after the first assembly anddisassembly of the stud and socket, the nut will automatically assumethis position, in a manner to be hereinafter described. After the wingshave engaged the nut tightening sides 'I4 of the tabs 58, furtherrotation of the nut in a clockwise direction is impossible,consequently, further rotation of the bolt in a clockwise direction willcause the nut to draw up on the bolt and bear against the bearingportion 5i) of the receptacle between the tongues 54 and the tabs 68,thereby drawing the two panels I2 and I 4 tightly together (see Fig. 7)

To disassemble the fastener, the bolt is rotated in the opposite, orcounterclockwise direction. Since the nut is held tightly against thebearing portion of the receptacle, such rotation of the bolt will at rstcause no rotation of the nut. However, after the rotation of the bolthas loosened the nut, further rotation of the bolt will tend to causethe nut to turn with the bolt in a counterclockwise direction. However,the

nutfislpreventedeirom. 1. ninefany- =snhstamsial amount by. theedges; 1. 8 fon ..the..-. tongues 1;.54: tisse. 8; fands) oHence,.-further.countereloclswiee rotation-of the-boltiwill .eause thenut tozbaekjoff; the bolt untill it. is. f ar .enough-down, the :boltfor the wingsto olea-r. the..tongues.andl pass between said. tongues,and the. .z saddle.: 'ibereafterv the wings a arerfree.- -to .srotateainfer. oounterolockwise directionr :they ,contact- ,the inut;.looser-line; stop sideie ofrthe-tabs;.54,. which.y pretontstane.` therrotation of the nut in the counterelookwise. direction :Qsee-iFigsifl0,and1lli)-... Whensthe nut has reached this .position thee pressure oiftloe. toolmayfbe'released andthe springz :will litt thebolt so that thenut pass.es..upwa1tdly through:4 the-:opening 56s inthe receptacier,therebyeomr. plating the-disengagement t.(see. Fig.; 12)1.

After :one: suoli.l operationxof: assembly and dis-1 assembly.Y theynut-. will. Abe property. positioned .onthebolt. for subsequentassembly operations;simietheintermediate tongues 5s; during.disassembly.' require that the nut: .be .positionedffmtthen don/nf thebolttban` is necessary-for assemblylpsinoe. duringgdisassembly theWinasiof-v the nut. .must pass= over the edges'l-i of tlreftong'ues; butduring'. assembly; .the Wings. ofthe-.nut can;ride-oser` theV camminasurfacessli. Thefftongueszaare preferably;l slightly resilientf` totfacilitate. suon operation. During. subsequent assembly .operationa; if.the notie-not .far enough down-,the bolt fon the Wings to; cleartl'ieftonguest 5.4i, WhenA the boltfis rotated, such condition will beimmediately evidentie-hen. the pressure of :the tool isreleased,` sincethe head .of..tbex.-bo.lt. Willlthen popxbaokont ofthe-bushing.:Wherrthisoceurs, the. mit. may be backedxurther.ofiltbebolt. .by forcingthe.. nut.: through.: the opening 162 f andi.: rotating". the. bolt ina. .counterclockwise direction;

Since;y the. bushing. 'at l extendethrough bothv platea; the. Afasteneris .1 capable:` of resisting high shear stresses therebetween;4 Thefastener: also has. .the Aenivantager .of being :capable et fasteningplatos whichI have been yspriingfoutof t'sloape,` since av warpedportion. of a plate.=-may'bedrawnzdowni by tighteningvthebolt: afterthe-:fasteners'is enf. eased.; Whereas. other types: of fastenersrequire. thatthe'pIate -be initially forced 'down' toaallow. the parts.of .the :fastener taba zengagedi Since certain'. obvious..modieationsmay. be made. in ,f the device: Without departing; from'. thescope of: the inventiomit is intendedrtliat all mattei? contained'hereinbe'. interpreted. in anillustrative anniV notA in a limiting:sense..

Iclaim.:

i. A panelfastener comprisingfa-stud 'assembly/v. andvasociet assembiyfor `mounting yon opposing portions of superiinposedrpanels; saidstudfassembly/comprising boltA means for assemblyintoanopening-inanepanel, afriction lock nutdisposedA on'. the bolt, .saioli nut.l1avir1glaterally extending.' bearing:Wings, saisiv soeket. assemblyy comprisingabearing plat-e for lattachment to the other panel` opposite an opening.therein, said bearingi plate having., opening to. receive t'l1eboltantifthe nut', said openinghavingr radially extendingfslotf portions to.allowthe bearingfwings of theA nuoto pass-:therethrough when the-nutisin afpredeten. mined rotationalv positionrelativeto .the l'iearingAplate, whereby when. the; bolt, and" the; nuti are inserted. throughtile bearing plateopening and: rotated, the Wings of: the nutpassfbehind; the bearing plate,;. a saddle member disposerloppsite thebearingplate in. spaced relationtheret-o andI having an.l opening toreeeive-thefendzof; the. belt when the bolt andi the nut are insertedithroushfztneobeasineeplate:opening SaiQf-fssddl'e tine.jbear-ing...Yplate...D and beingI spaced from. the. 'obearinsfplateeafsucientdistance to a1-levanta.-

tionoof .tnafwingeof theonuttherebetween; nuttienteriing. stop.,ini-:anseA disposed between. the saddlafandethefbearineplate :to-eneaeeetheannt wines. taten they ,nut has; been insertosv tinta. the.

. bearingiplataopening.androtated. until; the .wiz-filings.`anefbehind.-theabearingsplate.. whereby furthen rotation of. fthe-,boltcauses .thefnuti to draw :un

orb-felleaboli: so.. that 'athenut wings bear .--t-ightly.

against-eene bearingplate, and nut-loosening. stop,

Y mean-sfdisposedN between. tlae.bearing. plate.I and theisacdle :toengage-the. Wings. of. the. nut

the. bolt. `lciasnfbeen rotated to.. loosenth'a.y nut .-suie ciently.that ther-nutv rotates-witli` the .liolt,r *saidv nuteloosening stop.`means A being'positioned.' f f relation-ata tneabearingplatefsofastostop-the. rotationeof the mit `tintin-g.loosening with. thenut. Wf'mgsdnposition. yto .passf-througl1 the-.bearing.

piate opening..-

2; A panciafastenervcompnising a` stud assembly v' andia-socsetassemblyfor mounting onipanelsy opposing-portions of which are. to best-hperl.imposed-,1. to fasten @the..-panelstogether, said studassembly:comprising:aibusningzpfor .-assetati-5f. into` an openingen one:panelr abolt :extending thi-rougir thfevbusning havingafneadifdisposedort-one side. thereof a.; threadedy portion disposed-ion thev other:`side,- said. bolt.- beingf. v longitudinally: movable inthebusning,atfriction beignet-.disposed on=thetlneafieai porationr saiclniitfnavingflatesally.

:rter-idling.bearingffwingsfanci springrmeansrassoe ciated--Witli vthe-b'olt..to urgeithe boltlongtudinaliy in the# bushingfso thatl the. headf of. the.V nut mor--l mailer. protrudesflfrom the bushing; I said'=socket assembly-comprising@ .bearing .plate for attachmentto-.the otherpanel.' opposite.- anv opening therein,l saidf'bearingeplate.: having anopening. to aliowz-the bo1t.=and tlziei'iut.I to-.pass- .therethroughsaid. 'opening having. radially 1 extending.; slotsfto allorarthe-bearing-fvtingsofftne nut topass. there@ through-Wieren-tne nutiisina-.pizeaetermined rotau tionai position. relative: to. the; bearing.yplate, wiierebiy. when the.- Lbolt :andthe nut-z .areinserted through:the bearingsplate opening.- and then .rotailed-.fin one. direetibn-thef wings .of the. nut pass 1 behind; the bearingfplatey. a.saddlemembervv dis posedlopposite thabearing. plate in .spaced relaf`tiotrthereto, said;4 saddle: hating an opening` to; receivethe=eniioffftne-bolt when the bolt. andthefsnat .L are .inserted zinttheshearing: platee op enr and providing atbearingsurface for .the .wingsoi'f'the-Hnutftolimitf the distancethe nut san-.pass beyond@tno-bearingplate,- said: saoilemember. being space difromq. the. bearingplate'- a sufficient dist-anos topennit rotation. thonet therebe-- .ftween; nut-tighteninastop means.` disposed betweensaid'VI saddle-- and?said; bearing; plate.. tov engage the: nuit. Wings; after.,- the. nut.yhas.- been rotated: in saidi one direction.. sothat: the wingsarebeliindetne-bearing.plate, whereby' further notation'. of the bolt:vinf. saidl one.- direetioncauses the-intanto draws-union theboltzsothat.- the.- nut: wingsxbearftightly: asainst'the bearing. plate, andnntfloosenine: sion means disposed., betweenthe Sandie fandftlioteeming. plate to ensasefthe Wings of; the nut'. when: boithas` beenrotated he.; other: digestion so. to loosen` the. wingserlllghi '6.0.-oause IQlcbtion; O f. the; mit.' away: from the first stop@ means, said.nut-loosening.- stop means being-positioned; se estoi-Stop. the rotationof the n n-tin a.predeterminadoposition..sabbat thewings are positionedto 'epass' back through the bearing plate opening. f

``3. A panel fastener comprising a stud assembly and a socket assemblyfor mounting on a pair of panels which are to be superimposed, to fastenthe panels together and to resist shear forces applied thereto; saidstud assembly comprising a bushing for assembly into an opening in theupper panel, said bushing being adapted to protrude from the lower sideof said upper panel, a bolt disposed through the bushing and movablelongitudinally therein, said bolt having a head disposed on the upperside of the bushing and a threaded portion protruding from the lowerside thereof, a friction lock nut disposed on the threaded portion belowthe bushing, said friction lock nut having radially extending bearingwings, and a spring member disposed about the bolt between the head andthe bushing to urge the bolt upwardly; said socket assembly comprising ahollow receptacle for assembly onto the lower side of the lower panelopposite an opening therein, said receptacle being adapted to receivethe protruding portion of the bushing when the plates are superimposedto resist shear forces applied to the panels, said receptacle having abearing portion spaced from the lower panel, said bearing portion havingan opening therein to receive the end of the bolt, said opening havingradial slot portions to allow the nut to pass therethrough when thewings of the nut are in a predetermined rotational position in relationto the bearing portion, whereby the end of the bolt and the nut may bepassed through the openings and rotated so that the wings of the nutpass behind the bearing portion, a saddle member disposed below saidreceptacle in spaced relation thereto, said saddle having an openingtherein to receive the end of the bolt and providing a bearing surfacefor the nut wings to limit the distance the nut can pass beyond thebearing portion of the receptacle, said saddle being spaced from thebearing portion a distance suicient to allow the wings of the nut torotate therebetween, nuttightening stop means disposed between thesaddle and the bearing plate to engage the nut wings after the nut hasbeen rotated in one direction to position the wings Lbehind the bearingplate, whereby further rotation of the bolt in said direction causes thenut to draw up on the bolt so that the Wings engage the bearing plateand draw the panels together, nut-loosening stop means disposed betweenthe saddle and the bearing plate to engage the wings of the nut and stopthe rotation thereof when the bolt is rotated in the opposite directionenough to loosen the nut from bearing against the bearing plate so thatthe nut rotates with the bolt, said nutloosening stop means beingpositioned to stop the wings of the nut in a predetermined position sothat the wings are positioned to pass upwardly through the opening inthe bearing plate.

4. A panel fastener as set forth in claim 1 in which intermediate stopmeans is provided between the saddle and the bearing plate of thesocket, said intermediate stop means being disposed between the radialslot portions of the opening in the bearing plate and the nut-tighteningstop means and being spacedfrom the bearing plate, whereby duringrotation of the bolt to loosen the nut, the nut must be loosenedsuinciently to permit the Wings of the nut to pass between theintermediate stop means and the saddle before the nut can rotate withthe bolt to engage said nut-loosening stop means.

Y. 5. A panel fastener as set forth in claim 1 in which saidnut-tightening stop means and said nut-loosening stop means are providedby opposite edges ofa tab member extending from said saddle membertoward the bearing plate.

6. A panel fastener as set forth in claim 1 in which said friction locknut is provided with a lower shank portion, and the opening in thesaddle member is adapted to receive said shank to position the assemblednut and bolt in thev socket.

7. A socket assembly for mounting on a panel opposite an opening thereinto receive a stud of the type having a threaded bolt and a friction locknut disposed thereon with laterally extending wings; said socketcomprising a bearing plate with an opening to receive the threadedmember, said opening having radial slot portions to allow the wings ofthe nut to pass therethrough when the nut is in a predeterminedrotational position in relation to the bearing plate, a saddle memberdisposed over the bearing plate in spaced relation thereto, said saddlemember having an opening disposed opposite the bearing plate opening toreceive the end of the bolt and to provide a bearing surface for the nutwings to limit the distance the nut may pass beyond the bearing plate,said saddle being spaced from the bearing plate far enough to permitrotation of the nut wings therebetween, nut-tightening stop meansdisposed between the saddle and the bearing plate to engage the nutwings and prevent further rotation of the nut after the Wings have beenrotated in one direction so that they are behind the bearing plate,whereby further rotation of the bolt in said one direction causes thenut to draw up thereon against the bearing plate, and nut-loosening stopmeans disposed between the bearing plate and the saddle to engage thewings of the nut and stop the rotation thereof when the bolt has beenrotated in the opposite direction to loosen the nut sulciently that thenut rotates with the bolt, said nut-loosening stop means beingpositioned in relation to the bearing plate to stop the rotation of thenut in said opposite direction during loosening so that the wings of thenut are in position to pass through the radial slot portions of thebearing plate opening.

8. A socket assembly for mounting on a panel opposite an opening thereinto receive a stud of the type having a threaded bolt assembled throughan opening in another panel and a friction lock nut disposed thereonwith a pair of laterally extending bearing wings; said socket comprisinga hollow receptacle for assembly onto the panel, said receptacle havinga bearing portion spaced from the panel, with an opening therein -toreceive the end of the bolt, said opening having a pair of laterallyextending slot portions to allow the wings of the nut to passtherethrough when the wings of the nut are in a predetermined rotationalposition in relation to the bearing portion, whereby the end of the boltand the nut may be passed through the bearing plate opening and rotatedso that the wings of the nut pass behind the bearing plate, a saddlemember disposed in spaced relation to the bearing plate, said saddlemember having an opening to receive the end of the bolt, and providing abearing surface about the opening for the wings of the nut to limit thedistance the nut can pass beyond the bearing portion of the receptacle,said saddle being spaced from the 'bearing plate a distance sufhoient topermit the wings of the nut to rotate therebetween, nut-tightening stopmeans disposed between the saddle and the bearing plate to engage thenut wings and stop the rotation thereof after the nut has been rotatedin one direction to position the wings behind the bearing plate, wherebyfurther rotation of the bolt in said direction causes the nut to draw upon the bolt so that the wings engage the bearing plate and draw thepanels together, nut-loosening stop means disposed 'between the saddleand the bearing plate to engage the wings of the nut and stop therotation thereof when the bolt is rotated in the opposite directionenough to loosen Vthe nut from bearing against the bearing plate so thatthe nut rotates with the bolt, said nut-looseningr stop means beingpositioned in relation to the bearing plate to stop the rotation o saidwings in said opposite direction when the wings are in position to passback through the opening in the bearing plate.

9. A socket assembly as set forth in claim 7 in which intermediate stopmeans is provided between the saddle and the bearing plate, saidintermediate stop means being disposed between the 10 radial slotportions and the nut-tightening stop means, and being spaced from thebearing plate, whereby during rotation of the bolt to loosen the nutfrom the bearing plate, the nut must be loosened on the boltsufficiently to permit the wings of the nut to pass between saidintermeldiate stop means and the saddle before the nut can rotate withthe bolt to engage said nutloosening stop means.

10. A socket assembly as set forth in claim '7 in which saidnut-tightening stop means and said nut-loosening stop means are provided'by opposite edges oi a tab member extending from the saddle membertoward the bearing plate.

PHILIP D. BECKER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 20Number Name Date 2,372,496 Huelster Mar. 27, 1945 2,385,180 Allen Sept.18, 1945

